Mets tinker with second half rotation

By John F. Silver | Jul 13, 2014 | 9:00AM

Jacob deGrom has 180 innings this year without restrictions. deGrom has pitched 105 innings already this season going into Sunday's start.

The Mets will start Batolo Colon on Friday in the second half opener against the Padres. After that, manager Terry Collins is still working on it.

Dillion Gee and Zack Wheeler are next in line with Jonathan Niese to follow in Seattle (ESPN, July 12th). After that, it gets tricky. The plan was to have Daisuke Matsuzaka move back to the bullpen and Jacob deGrom to start.

Collins threw a curveball with that conventional wisdom on Saturday suggesting that deGrom could go to the bullpen because of innings restrictions and Matsuzaka stay in the rotation (ESPN, July 12th).

“I don’t know, but it’s been talked about before that with all of those young guys we’re going to take a break this summer -- (Noah) Synderaard and (Rafael) Montero and deGrom -- and back off their innings a little bit,” Collins said. “That’ll be discussed (Sunday).”

GM Sandy Alderson has said in the past that deGrom should be at about 180 innings this year without restrictions. deGrom has 105 this season between the majors and minors and could have about 14 starts, including Sunday's, before the end of the season.

"We've made that clear before and continue to make that clear when his name is mentioned, so I think clubs have gotten the message," Alderson added.

MLB.com, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus all consider Rosario to be Alderson's top prospect.

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Latest on Bruce: Jays, Rangers have only minimal interest

10:00AM

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Sep 25, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder Jay Bruce (19) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
(Anthony Gruppuso)

Dec 9 | 10:00AM

The Mets initially thought the Rangers and Blue Jays were a possible landing spot for Jay Bruce, but - so far - both teams have just limited interest, according to NY Post reporter Mike Puma.

Matthew Cerrone: The market for Bruce will develop after free agents Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista are off the market. The Rangers, Jays, Orioles and Indians are all reportedly interested in Encarnacion and Bautista, but they all can't sign them. Eventually, these two will sign new contracts, leaving two other teams - and the Giants and Dodgers - turning to the trade market to fill their DH and outfield vacancies.

News, rumors, links and podcasts you may have missed during the Winter Meetings

Dec 8 | 12:15PM

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Quiet Winter Meetings for Mets00:04:19

Steve Gelbs, Andy Martino and Anthony DiComo wrap up all the latest news and action for the Mets as the Winter Meetings come to an end.

SNY's final Winter Meetings Podcast

In their last podcast of the week, hosts Matthew Cerrone and Rob Brender answered several fan voicemails, talking about trading an outfielder, acquiring a new center fielder, why and how to improve the bullpen, and what is likely to happen before Spring Training...

Winter Meetings recap, and what's next for Alderson's offseason

Sandy Alderson chats with Steve Gelbs from the last day of the Winter Meetings and where the team stands on a number of areas.

It was a newsless Winter Meetings for the Mets, as it was for most teams, but it certainly wasn't quiet. In the end, the Mets held a lot of meetings where they talked with agents and team representatives for a variety of relief pitchers open to accepting major- and minor-league deals.

In an effort to free up a roster spot, raise money and have fewer left-handed hitting outfielders, the Mets spent time talking with teams about Jay Bruce, though they reportedly saw more interest in Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto, which is understandable.

In the end, I expect the Mets will eventually trade Bruce and one of two things will happen, 1) They'll get back a big-league reliever making a decent salary, after which they'll use the difference to sign one or two more low-cost relievers, or 2) They'll trade Bruce for nothing, and use his entire $13 million to sign someone like Brad Ziegler, as well as one or two more low-cost relievers.

Mets idle, lose no one during ML phase of Thursday's Rule 5 Draft

The Mets did not add or lose any players during the Major-League phase of this Thursday's annual Rule 5 Draft, which is the final event each year the Winter Meetings.

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In case you missed it, Wednesday, at the MLB Winter Meetings

Dec 7 | 11:26PM

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Andy Martino on Winter Meetings00:03:57

Andy Martino discusses the latest from the Winter Meetings including the Nats-White Sox Trade, Yankees, Mets and Wade Davis to the Cubs.

MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone and Robert Brender recorded their final Winter Meetings Podcast, during which they answered questions about Andrew McCutchen, Dexter Fowler, Jose Abreu, what's going on with the Nationals, what will happen to Jay Bruce, Sandy Alderson's bullpen, and if Darrelle Revis will play in the AFL...

Alderson on payroll, trading outfielders, MLB markets and real estate

Dec 7 | 6:24PM

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Alderson on the Mets' outlook00:02:51

Steve Gelbs chats with Sandy Alderson to discuss the progress the Mets have made at the Winter Meetings and their remaining offseason plans.

Sandy Alderson talked with reporters late Wednesday and said, while he doesn't know that he'll make any deals before the end of the Winter Meetings, he's made progress in talks with teams and agents that he hopes will benefit the Mets before the end of the offseason.

Alderson also had the following to say about...

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Eaton will be traded to Nationals, now what happens to McCutchen?

The Nationals, who had reportedly shown interest in Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, will acquire White Sox OF Adam Eaton for prospects Lucas Giolito,Dane Dunning and Reynaldo Lopez, according to multiple reports.

In this case, I really, really hope the Mets use this opportunity to get in on McCutchen.

Matthew Cerrone: In addition to starting pitching, the Rangers have reportedly been looking to acquire a corner outfielder or Designated Hitter, such as Jay Bruce. At the same, I've heard from MLB insiders that they've been offering up RH reliever Jeremy Jeffress, who the Mets had interest in acquiring last summer before he was dealt from the Brewers to Rangers with Jonathan Lucroy. It's worth also noting that Texas still has Lucroy, who the Mets were trying to trade for last summer, as well, despite saying they were committed to Travis d'Arnaud. I see no evidence that the Rangers are looking to deal Lucroy. But, if they are, I assume the Mets would be intrigued, despite again saying they're commited to d'Arnaud.

In the wake of trading Chris Sale to the Red Sox, multiple reports indicate the White Sox have started shopping several of their high-priced players.

So far, I have yet to read or hear of any rumors connecting the Mets to the White Sox. However, Chicago clearly has players that should be of interest to Sandy Alderson, specifically closer David Robertson and 1B Jose Abreu.

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Wheeler speaks about health, potential move to bullpen

Dec 7 | 12:25PM

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Wheels in motion00:02:52

Jon Hein and Marc Malusis discuss the Mets' plan of action for Zack Wheeler, including his possible use out of the bullpen.

Zack Wheeler spoke about his health and a potential move to the bullpen during an appearance at the Mets' annual coat drive at Citi Field on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old said he threw about three weeks ago and will do so again around Christmas in what he called a "normal offseason," according to Joe Trezza of MLB.com. Wheeler added that he has not felt pain since April and that "this is the best he's felt."

He was also open to the idea of moving to the bullpen to start 2017, something Mets GM Sandy Alderson mentioned prior to the start of the Winter Meetings this past Sunday.

"If I'm Fowler, I give up making $18-20 million a season and quickly grab one of those four-year, $60 million offers, because it might not be there if he waits," a team executive told me.

In regards to the Mets, this doesn't bode well for wanting to trade Bruce. And, it probably explains why reports now indicate Curtis Granderson and Michael Conforto are off the table. Because, if prices are dropping, it's not worth moving them.

What do the Mets have planned for the last full day of the Winter Meetings?

Mets GM Sandy Alderson should have at least one or two reasonable trades on the table for OF Jay Bruce, according to teams that have talked with the Mets.

However, because he's comfortable with slow-playing the free-agent market for relief pitchers, Alderson appears totally fine holding off on dealing Bruce for an arm, while letting the outfield market play out and revisiting his options during December.

"Things are generally slow," Alderson explained Tuesday, talking to reporters. "Hopefully things start to loosen up a little bit. ...Clubs are still trying to figure out exactly what they think is exactly the best way to go. The contours of the market are still a little bit vague, so you don't see a lot of movement."

What is Sandy Alderson's goal in trying to trade Bruce or Granderson?

The Mets are not yet willing to pay some of Curtis Granderson's $15 million salary or Jay Bruce's $13 million salary to help trade them during this week's Winter Meetings.

"Not at this point," Alderson said Monday, when specifically asked about the scenario.

Alderson is not usually this vague, though, which makes me think he'll eventually give in. However, right now, it's early enough in the off season that he isn't feeling desperate. Instead, I'm hearing they're more likely to give up a prospect or two in the deal, so the acquiring team is incentivized to absorb Bruce's $13 million.

Remember, the goal here is to a acquire as many relief pitchers as possible before the start of spring training, and I see Alderson eventually getting his men one of the following ways...

This is disappointing, if true. I'm sure it is, but I also know Mets GM Sandy Alderson and his front office tend to make statements based on what's happening at that specific moment, and it does not necessarily recognize where things are headed.

Remember, Alderson and his staff repeatedly told reporters that the Mets wouldn't release Jason Bay, Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, nor would they be trading Carlos Beltran and RA Dickey, and they eventually did all of the above. I'm not saying the Mets will sign Fowler, or trade both Bruce or Granderson, I'm simply suggesting that we all take what they say with a grain of salt... because things have a way of changing as the environment changes around them...

By Matthew Cerrone | Dec 6 | 4:46PM

For the second time this offseason, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he and his staff are planning to change the workload and routine of their starting pitchers, he told reporters Tuesday at the Winter Meetings.

Last month, Alderson said he is open to occasionally using a six-man rotation and mixing in spot starters so guys can get extended rest between appearances.

"If Blevins is willing to do a two-year deal, maybe Sandy Alderson can reel him back," MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote Nov. 22. "But, if Blevins finds himself eventually weighing three-year offers, I bet Alderson passes and, instead, signs a veteran or two on minor-league deals."

Earlier Tuesday, Rosenthal said the Nationals would have included RHP prospects Lucas Giolito and Victor Robles in a deal with Chicago. However, they've been reluctant to put them in a deal for Pirates OF Andrew McCutchen, who they've reportedly been pursuing since last summer.

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MLB to raise money for field in memory of Shannon Forde

Dec 6 | 12:26PM

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In honor of Mets media relation executive Shannon Forde, who lost her long, difficult battle with breast cancer last March, MLB announced Monday it will renovate a youth field in Forde's honor in her hometown of Little Ferry, N.J.

"I think a picture says a thousand words," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said at a press conference at the Winter Meetings. "This is the group that loves and misses Shannon every day."

To raise money for the project, which is part of their annual Play Ball program, MLB is auctioning off a number of unique opportunities, including a pitching lesson from Johnny Cueto, player and manager meet-and-greets, a dinner with Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.